Method for the controlled feeding of material to processing units



July 23, 1963 w. w. K. QUT-:STER 3,098,572

METHOD EoR THE coNTRoLLED FEEDING oF MATERIAL To ERocEssING UNITS Filed Dec. 8, 1959 2 sheets-Sheet i W 25K, QUESTER p #mi ATTYS,

July 23, 1963 Filed DEG. 8, 1959 w K. QUEs'rER 3,098,572

W. METHOD FOR THE CONTROLLED FEEDING OF MATERIAL TO PROCESSING UNITS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NvENroR W WK. QUEsTER ATTKS.

United States Patent O 3,098,572 METHD FOR Til-m CNTRLLED FEEDING GF MATERIAL T PROCESSING UNITS Wilhelm Walter Karl Quester, Cologne, Germany, assigner to Willi. Quester, Cologne-Sulz, Germany, a

Filed Dec. 8, 1959, Ser. No. 858,277 Claims priority, application Germany Dec. 10, 1958 2 Claims. (Cl. 214-152) This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for continuously feeding material to a plurality of processing or fabricating means at a rate which is dependent upon the consumption, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for fully automatically feeding cut tobacco to any number of cigarette making machines,

`Many attempts were made in the past to solve the problem of automatically feeding cigarette making machines with cut tobacco. As a result of these attempts, mechanically operating apparatus was developed which, in dependence upon the consumption of each single machine, autornatioally fed the tobacco in portions.

In case of pneumatically operating feeders, it was usual to use semi-automatic systems with the feeding of tobacco to the pneumatic units being effected and controlled manually, fIn pursuing the efforts to mechanize the feeding of tobacco, various methods and devices were suggested and tried, of which the rotary feeding disc provides a maximum of careful treatment of the tobacco in distributing the same.

If only one disc is provided, the stream of tobacco coming from the cut tobacco stock bin can be adjusted to the particular quantity required. However, the simultaneous feeding of several discs from a common stock bin necessitates a consumption-controlled distribution system since the number of machines to be fed may vary within short periods of time at any disc, eg. by machine breakdown, replacement of paper, and the like.

-The object of this invention is a further improvement of a method and an apparatus which permit a consumption-controlled distribution to any number of consumer units. It is characterized in that the material is passed in succession to several processing or fabricating units at the rate per unit time required for continuous feeding, but with the sizes of portions corresponding to the feeding cycle, the feeding being effected in the time intervals predetermined for said units. In case yof incomplete acceptance of the material, the same is passed to accumulator means during the residual time remaining for the respective Vunit. While traveling from the point of delivery from the continuous feed stream to the processing or fabricating unit, the allocated sizes of portions are converted into a continuous delivery stream of material, it being possible for the supply of the material to be effected either from the stock bins or from the accumulator means.

In accordance with the invention, the conveying means leading to the processing or fabricating units arranged in series one after the other comprises successive conveyor belts between which, at the distribution points for the material to the units, intermediary members are interposed which may be adjusted as bridging members between the conveyor belts and for distribution of material to the individual consumer units. The intermediary members are preferably designed as flap valveswhich, in one position, pass the material from the higher end of the preceding conveyor belt to the lower receiving end of the followingconveyor belt or, in the other position, to the processing or fabricating unit.

l-CC

ously fed to the processing or fabricating units as corresponds to the actual consumption of the processing or fabricating units which are in operation at any one time. The distribution of the total quantity is not effected by subdividing the same into parallel streams, but only by portions delivered at a time sequence. The supply of these portions is effected at such time intervals that a partial stream without intervals is formed which corresponds to the current requirement of the individual consumer units. The requirement of the consumer units may undergo a constant variation due to failure or other troubles. The process of the invention is adapted to these fluctuations. The quantity of material effectively supplied to the processing units corresponds at any one time to the quantity actually required, i.e. consumed. The delivery of excess quantities is avoided.

The process of the invention is preferably accomplished by the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein,

FIG. l is a side elevational view of the overall unit;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the unit shown in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 3 3 of FIG. l.

The apparatus for carrying out the process comprises a supply means which, in the present case, is in the form of three bins 1, 2 and 3 having the bottoms constructed as conveyor belts that communicate with the conveyor belts 4, 5 and 6 which lead to a delivery device consist- Ving of a plurality of conveyor belts 7, 8, 9 and -10 arranged one after the other in the direction of movement. Between these individual conveyor belts 8, 9 and 10 are provided ilap valves 11, 12, 13 and as shown in FIGS. l and 3. These flap valves, when in one position, bridge the distance between the adjacent conveyor belts. In the other position of the ilap valves, the material is permitted to drop onto the conveyor belts l14, 15 and 16 leading to the consumer units which, in the present embodiment, are represented as the feed discs 17, 18 and 19. iIn order that the material be supplied in uniform thickness to the conveyor belts 14, 15 and 16, a swing funnel 20 shown in detail in FIG. 3 and pivotally mounted as at 20a, may be provided in each space below the -ap valves 11, 12, 13, said funnel being constantly moved to and fro while the material is deposited on the conveyor belts 14, 15 and 16. The last conveyor belt of the feeding unit, e.g. the belt 10, is followed by a further conveyor Kbelt 21 which may be supplemented by a further conveyor belt 22 which returns the material to one of the first conveyor belts 4, 5 or 6. In the present case, the return of material is effected to the conveyor belt v6v. The conveyor belts 21, 22, etc. used for returning excess quantities simultaneously represent accumulator means for any excess quan; tities which are not accepted at the points of delivery, i.e. the receiving belts 1,4, '15, 16. Character 23 is a photocell which controls the level of the accumulator belt 22 `tempoiarily receiving excess quantities. The embodiment shown relates to tihe feeding of cut tobacco to cigarette making machines, but may also be used in other fields. The apparatus in accordance with the invention is designed in such a way that the quanti-ty of cut tobacco exactly corresponding Ito the actual consumption is fed at any one time to each of the feeding 'discs 17, 1S, 19. This means that the quantity withdrawn vfrom the supply bins 1, 2, 3 must correspond tothe maxi- Vmum possible quantity in order to be able to meet any requirement encountered.

Normally, an excess quantity will have to be expected which is not accepted by the feeding discs. 'Ilhis excess quantity has to be kept in store for renewed delivery or to be returned into the supply unit. The supply unit 1,

3 2, 3, in the present embodiment, is designed in such a way tha-t it is either filled or discharged. Simultaneous filling and discharge is not provided. For this reason, the excess quantities, in accordance with theinvention, lare passed to a-n independent intermediate storage unit and returned into the process cycle at a suitable time.

With such an arrangement, the following partial problems lilave to be solved.

(a) Formation of tobacco portions in relation to the actual consumption of the consumer unit, i.e. the feeding disc.

(b) Converting the portions into continuous tobacco streams for uninterrupted feeding to the discs.

(c) Intermediate storage of the excess quantities.

Regarding lche feature (a), i.e. formation of portions, the yassumption is made that each of the cigarette making machines, while in operation, requires a constant quantity of out tobacco per minute. Thus, it is only necessary to determine for each of the feeding discs the number of running machin-es in proportion to the total number of machines connected. A counter equipped with a relay combination exactly furnishes this value.

Example Table 17-6 machines Table -18-6 machines Table 19-6 machines Installed is a total of 18 machines Running on table 17 are 4 machines On table 18--61 machines On table i19-5 machines Presently running is a total of machines Thus, for example, the fraction of the total quantity of tobacco to Ibe delivered in 1 minute would be 4/18 to table 17 6/18 to table 18\ FAS to table 19 To table 17 from the 1st to the 20th second, To table 18 from the 21st -to the 40th second, To table 19 from the 41st to the 60th second,

and again To table 17 from .the 61st to the 80th second, To table 18 from the 81st to the 100th second, To table 19 from the 101st to the 120th second,

and so on.

However, Is-ince some of the machines are not running, tobacco is delivered To table 17 (4 machines) from the 1st to the 13th second,

To table 18 (6 machines) from the 21st to the 40th second,

To table 19 (5 machines) from the 41st to the 57th secrond,

and the excess quantities are stored in the 14th to 20th second and 58th to 60th second.

With this method of time-controlled feeding, i.e. consumption controlled feeding proportional to the number of machines running, the quantity of tobacco corresponding exactly to the consumed quantity is delivered to each of the tables.

Regarding the transformation of the portions into continuous streamsin accordance with partial problem (b) the portions formed in dependence upon the consumption by the method described above are to be supplied to the feed discs continuously. The solution to the problem provides an intermediary conveyor belt 14, 15 or 116 effecting said transformation.

The quantities of tobacco delivered by the supply belts 7, 8 and 9 via a reversing ap valve 11, 12 or 13 are uniformly distributed on an intermediary conveyor belt 14, 15 or 16 by a swing funnel 20. The feed velocity of the intermediary belt is constant. Thus, the thickness of the formed layer is directly proportional to the duration of delivery since the length and width of layer remain constant (provided that -the delivered quantity is constant), The deposition on the feed disc is continuous. Since the layer depth corresponds to the duration of delivery and the latter is dependent upon the number of consuming machines, the supply of tobacco always corresponds exactly to the quantity -being consumed.

Regarding the intermediate storage of the excess quantities in accordance with partial problem (c), it is to be expected in practice that excess quantities which are necessary in view of a supply ensured in any case, must be stored.

The storage belts 21, 22 provided for receiving these quantities are uniformly fill-ed with the excess partial quantities until their capacity is exhausted. They then interrupt the further supply from the containers 1, 2, 3 and, at the same moment, start lto supply the feed discs until their contents is consumed. They then switch back to the supply containers 1, 2, 3 and the cycle starts again.

The Iapparatus as a whole operates as follows:

The tobaccos 'are passed from the supply containers 1, 2 or 3 to the conveyor belts 4, 5, y6 and then to the conveyor belt 7. The flap valves 11, 12 and 13 are in idle position so that the further travel of the vtobacco over the conveyor belts 8, 9, 10 and to the storage 21, 22 is free. All of the belts S, 9, 10 and 21 are uniformly lled with tobacco. The conveyor belt 22, normally empty, acting as the storage belt is ready to receive tobacco.

The lfeeding cycle starts with ilap valve 111 swinging back, i.e. to the left in the drawing plane i.e. FIG. 1, thereby depositing tobacco lon the intermediary conveyor belt 14. The conveyor belts 8, 9, `10; and 21 stop while being laden with tobacco. The storage 22 likewise is idle. Upon expiration of the feed time, the flap valve 11 swings back into the initial position and the conveyor belts 8, 9, 10, and 21 starrt running. If the flap valve 11 is reversed before the expiration of the maximum possible time, the tobacco is rs-t stored in the storage Ibelt 22. If the maximum was reached, and with the flap valve 11 moving back, the next ap valve 1-2 is turned into the position permitting the disc 18 to be fed, and the conveyor belts 9, 10, and 21 stop running until the ap valve 12 is returned into its initial position. The same sequence of events occurs with the following flap valve 13. Upon completion of the overall cycle, it is started again with the first llap valve 11 and the feed disc 17 and so on. Thus, tobacco is only passed into the storage unit 22 if, due .to non-utilization of the maximum feed period provided ifor a feed disc, there are existing excess quantities which .cannot be immediately passed to one of the consumer units 17, 18, 19, etc. If the storage unit 22 is lled, which is supervised by a photocell 23 or the like, which also transmits the signal for its discharge, the supply bins l1, 2, 3 and the conveyor belts 4, 5 are stopped. The storagel belt 22 together with the belts 6 and 7 starts supplying tobacco to the consumer units I1'7, 1-8, 19.

With tobacco being supplied from the storage belt 22, which suddenly stops delivering tobacco as its movement stops, which is in `contrast to the delivery from the supply bins 1, 2, 3, only that quantity is delivered which is consumed \by the consumer units 17, 18, 19' sor that a repeated storage of excess quantities is eliminated. The result hereof is that .the conveyor belts stop moving in the initial position of the ap valve and run only in operating position. If the storage belt 22 is empty, the advance movement on this belt ceases. Instead oi this, the conveyance from the supply bins 1, 2, 3 and the movement of the belts 4, 5 is started again so that the normal cycle takes place again.

`By stopping the belts 8, 9, 10, 21 and 22 While feeding the preceding consumer unit 17 with tobacco Withdrawn from the supply bins 1, 2, 3, or by stopping the belts 4, 5, and 8, 9, .10, and 21 when delivering tobacco from the storage belt `2,2, it is achieved that the stream of tobacco on these conveyor belts is not interrupted and the full quantity is offered at any time if required by the consumer units 17, I1S, and 19.

The tobacco will be removed from the tray 17 by the suction device 24 to processing or yfabricating means especially cigarette making machines.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for the controlled continuous feeding of bulk material to a plurality of material processing units comprising the steps of continuously supplying bulk material from a bulk material source lat a rate at least equal to the combined maximum requirements of the plurality of material processing units over a given period of time determined by the maximum consumption of said processing units, delivering bulk material intermittently and sequentially and in a constant direction to the material processing units in relation to the actual demand requirements of the material processing units during said given period of time continuously accumulating excess material not accepted by said material processing units during ,the given period of time and making it available to said material processing units during a subsequent time interval and uniformly directing an accumulated supply of excess material during said subsequent time interval to said processing units prior to and independently of supplying said processing units from said bulk source.

2. 'lhe method of claim l; including the step of directing said .bulk material source lin series with the recycled excess material, and directing the supply of material to said plurality of processing units in respectively parallel paths 4from said supply of material.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 397,849 Gates Feb. 12, 1889 1,971,716 Hitchcock Aug. 28, 1934 2,529,586 Adams Nov. 14, 1950 2,562,427 =Hurter July 3l, 1951 2,613,832 Ogorzaly Oct. 14, 1952 2,833,393 Kay May 6, 1958 2,868,400 Powischill et al. Jan. 13, 1959 2,876,914 Werner Mar. 10, 1959 

1. A METHOD FOR THE CONTROLLED CONTINUOUS FEEDING OF BULK MATERIAL TO A PLURALITY OF MATERIAL PROCESSING UNITS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF CONTINUOUSLY SUPPLYING BULK MATERIAL FROM A BULK MATERIAL SOURCE AT A RATE AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE COMBINED MAXIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THE PLURALITY OF MATERIAL PROCESSING UNITS OVER A GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME DETERMINED BY THE MAXIMUM CONSUMPTION OF SAID PROCESSING UNITS, DELIVERING BULK MATERIAL INTERMITENTLY AND SEQUENTIALLY AND IN A CONSTANT DIRECTION TO THE MATERIAL PROCESSING UNITS IN RELATION OT THE ACTUAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MATERIAL PROCESSING UNITS DURING SAID GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME CONTINUOUSLY ACCUMULATING EXCESS MATERIAL NOT ACCEPTED BY SAID MATERIAL PROCESSING UNITS DURING THE GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME AND MAKING IT AVAILABLE TO SAID MATERIAL PROCESSING UNITS DURING A SUBSEQUENT TIME INTERVAL AND UNIFORMLY DIRECTING AN ACCUMULATED SUPPLY OF EXCESS MATERIAL DURING SAID SUBSEQUENT TIME INTERVAL TO SAID PROCESSING UNITS PRIOR TO AND INDEPENDENTLY OF SUPPLYING SAID PROCESSING UNITS FROM SAID BULK SOURCE. 